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Lithium-ion batteries are a fantastic crutch for the renewable energy transition. It’s not all roses, though: Short duration limits, and potentially dangerous thermal runaway in rare circumstances, means the hunt continues for alternative electrochemical batteries. However, alternatives will largely complement lithium-ion batteries, rather than supersede them. Blake Matich looks at promising options to keep an eye on.

The first week of the United Nations climate talks in Glasgow are drawing to a close. While there’s still a way to go, progress so far gives some hope the Paris climate agreement struck six years ago is working.

The Australian Government has set a goal of producing solar electricity for a third of today’s costs, declaring that “ultra low-cost solar” will be critical to achieving its long-term emissions reduction plan.

Developed by Spanish scientists, the proposed system design is said to be able to achieve water temperatures above 70 degrees Celsius and to cover around 85% of the annual sanitary hot water consumption of a household with six people.

Australian energy storage company Redback Technologies has unveiled an expanded product range, adding a series of grid-tied solar inverters and new beefed-up battery products to its existing line of modular battery energy storage systems for residential and commercial customers.

The inverter and battery manufacturer said it has been sitting on a record order backlog for the current three month window and the opening quarter of the new year, which may in part be down to a long Covid shutdown at its Vietnamese production base.

Yes, Australia is blessed with an incredible solar resource, but it will be diminished and returns localised by global warming.

Dutch renewables company Photon Energy has announced it will build “the world’s largest” solar-plus-storage project to date, teaming with Australian technology provider and project developer RayGen Resources to develop a facility that will deliver 300 MW of solar generation and 3.6 GWh of energy storage.

South Australia’s plan to establish a world-leading green hydrogen industry has received a major boost with the state government confirming it has received “tens of billions” of dollars of proposed investments from both Australian and international “heavy-hitters” as it looks to transform land at Port Bonython into a multi-user export-focused precinct.

The Australian mining industry’s transition towards renewable-powered operations continues with Pilbara Minerals appointing Contract Power Australia to install and operate a 6 MW solar farm at its Pilgangoora Lithium Project in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.